For me it came years ago when I moved from Eastern Europe to Western Europe and realized how many opportunities and possibilities were offered to women. You know what they say: "comparison is the thief of joy" and that was true in this case as I've realized that although I grew up surrounded by strong career women, they never had the same opportunities as women in the West (it's also true that they had communism). This encouraged me to overcome the barriers imposed on me by society and fight to achieve the status which was widely available in the West.
Nowadays, I believe that this is not enough and there's still room for improvement.
Just to put it this way, today, I fight for equal pay, yesterday, I was dreaming to have the career I have today. It's baby steps in the right direction.

My motivation comes from the happenings around me. I have witnessed on many occasions where a woman is denied a particular job in favour or a man. Some traditions in my country are very discriminatory. Worst of all, most laws and policies are gender blind and so not favour women at all. I believe the world would be a better place if women are economically empowered. But for this is to happen, there is need for action. 

For me, it was working with my host family in rural Peru to start a women's knitting cooperative. She was so warm and kind and was trying to make ends meet after the death of her husband. I realized that many women do not have the same opportunities and cannot necessarily afford higher education. Coming from a business background, there are ways that I can leverage my skillset to make a difference for these aspiring entrepreneurs in developing countries (e.g. Through access to markets, course instruction, teaching English, etc.). We all have a role to play in this ecosystem.

Hello Cassandra,
 I had always loved to serve humanity from childhood. Being an optimistic lady, I believe that there is no  one that can not be great regardless of the background or race.  I grew up to see my mother helping the less privileged especially those on the street, many of whom are economically empowered with good success stories. Impacting other lives became my utmost desire as I grew up.
Also, my experience as a victim of domestic violence and single mother of three raised my voice to empower women. I understand what women go through in getting access to their right and freedom which hinder their economic growth. I wonder if I didn't have an occupation how would I have survive with my three children.
All of these arose my passion in becoming a VOICE for empowering women 
 

Hi Cassandra;

Thank you for your post. I think it is very important for us to know where it all begun. As for me; the happenings surrounding my every day growing up brought the 'beast in me' if i may term myself as such. Seeing the discrimination against girs, women and the marginalized communities made me realize that equality is a far of cry in our societies. The struggle is even harder when you are a muslim lady when you get judged my your looks. So while the rest of the women are struggling with being empowered economically the struggle for muslim women is triplefold; where I am not only fighting for economic empowerment but recognition that indeed we are not powerlesss; that we have a voice and that the fact that I cover my hair does not mean my brain is shut. I must admit that there has definitely been some progress but we got a long way to go. So yes Cassandra, my agitation and fight for women empowerment is not just here; true that this is a platform where I met many amazing people and learnt of their powerful dreams for women ; in fact the real action is out there. I might be on the streets see a women being taken advantages off and I will speak. On several occasions I have stood up for women and girls who have been discriminated against; I might not help much but to voice that whatever another one is doing is wrong is something right? Thats why I think if we make this as part of our daily living we shal all soon see the enomous achievement each one of us will make.

Hey Cassandra, my inspiration has been my early years growing up around people from rural areas in a not so developed town. I was privileged to have an education even if my parents were not rich but i know about other girls and boys i interacted with who never had that chance. I know what happens in rural areas and i understand some of the challenges that lead to illiteracy and abject poverty in some cases. I know how most people in rural areas think, what their aspirations are and what they are capable of.

I was angry with our cultural beliefs, norms and values of women in Africa, my conscience told me it is wrong, we need to put our culture in order